Cathy Fox
Published online March 11, 2026, at www.pontiacjournal.com.
BRYSON – A small group of senior volunteers gathered at the Bryson Golden Age Club, February 19, to hear the results of a survey conducted as part of the MRC Pontiac’s ongoing effort to develop a senior-friendly strategy aimed at improving quality of life for older residents.
The survey, promoted online earlier this year by the MRC, is part of a broader initiative to better understand the needs of the region’s aging population. To assist with the process, the MRC hired consulting firm Communagir, which partnered with 14 of the region’s 18 municipalities. Each participating municipality contributed $1,000 toward the project, with the remaining costs covered by the MRC through a Regions and Rurality Fund (FRR) grant.
The presentation, delivered via Zoom by Communagir representative Violaine Guérin, was streamed simultaneously to participants in four other municipalities. Results were presented in both French and English.
One statistic highlighted during the presentation underscored the urgency of the issue: seniors currently make up about 28% of the MRC’s population, and that number is expected to double within the next decade. The projected increase is expected to place additional pressure on already stretched health, social and housing services.
Following the presentation, MRC economic development commissioners Danelle Bourque, responsible for sports and leisure, and André Piché, who works on housing issues, led a discussion with participants to gather additional feedback. Participants shared their thoughts while Bourque and Piché recorded comments on large charts illustrated with stylized flowers, each of the nine petals representing a different action area identified in the study.
Among the most frequently raised concerns were the lack of affordable and accessible housing options for seniors, ranging from independent living to full-time care facilities.
Transportation was another key issue. Participants discussed the need to expand transportation services to better support seniors’ social activities and basic daily needs.
Access to information about available services was also identified as a challenge, with participants suggesting communication methods should be more tailored to seniors. Others emphasized the importance of strengthening neighbourly support networks to help fill gaps left by services that no longer exist.
Participants also stressed the importance of coordination among municipalities, suggesting shared services, costs and centralized information about community resources could improve access and encourage greater participation among seniors.
The meeting is part of an ongoing consultation process. A report outlining recommended actions will be presented to representatives of local service clubs and municipal organizations on March 17 at the municipal hall in Campbell’s Bay. Those representatives will then share the findings with their respective organizations.
The contract with Communagir is expected to conclude by June 2026.